Jamaica is bracing for what the National Hurricane Center said would be catastrophic flash flooding and landslides caused by up to 40 inches of rain.

Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 5 storm Monday as it drew closer to Jamaica, where forecasters said it would unleash catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage.

Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica early Tuesday then cross Cuba into the southeastern Bahamas through Wednesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.